Today I am happy to be a part of Jo Ramsey’s Book Blog Hop. For a full list of participants and blogs sharing our thoughts on books, please see Jo’s blog.

The written word has always been special to me. I still remember so many of my favorites growing up…Follow My Leader, My Side of the Mountain, Pippi Longstockings, Black Beauty, and the list goes on and on. And because of my love of the written word, I’m a big believer in giving books as Christmas gifts. How else can I send my favorite people on a trip to another time or place? Adventures, romances, historicals, paranormal, mysteries…stories to entertain and excite. So many books, true and fiction, to make everyday a vacation.

A few years ago I gifted my daughter one of my favorite books, The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. This delightful tale combines mystery and intrigue in a charming children’s story. Mary is a complex character—spoiled and orphaned, angry at the world after being sent to live with her elusive Uncle in England. However, after discovering her cousin, Colin, Mary changes, learning to encourage and support her cousin as she helps him strengthen his muscles and move from being debilitated and broken to a healthy and joyful child. Important subjects intermixed with a great story, showing tremendous growth and personality.

It’s because of stories like The Secret Garden that I love writing for young people. And I can only hope my stories will one day inspire my young readers as so many books have inspired me. In my first novel, Ghost Dog of Roanoke Island, I have mixed a true historical mystery with a fast-paced ghost story while sneaking in a lesson on forgiveness and prejudice.

My main character, Jack, is much like Mary in The Secret Garden. He is angry and upset, having been ripped from the only home he ever knew to live on Roanoke Island. His relationship with his father is also strained after his sister’s accident and Jack is stressed as he tries to prove himself to his father once again. Enter a horrendous monster, a demon remnant from the time of the Lost Colony, determined to destroy Jack and his family and my ghostly adventure begins. I hope you’ll give Ghost Dog of Roanoke Island a read this Christmas.

In celebration of the Book Blog Hop, I am happy to offer one FREE e-copy of my story, Ghost Dog of Roanoke Island to one lucky winner. I am also supplying one print copy to my local library. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and may all your holidays be Book-a-licious!

I ALWAYS give books as gifts! I have bought several this year.
I loved the Secret Garden!
Has your daughter read - "Heidi" yet? I read it as a teen (16 I think) and I absolutely loved it! To this day it is one of my favorite books!
And I had already seen the movie and I still loved the book!

Reply

C.K. Volnek

12/8/2011 09:23:46 am

Hi Wendy,

Thanks for stopping by. Heidi is a great story. I haven't given that one to my daughter and will have to ask her if she has read it through the library or anything. I don't think she has though. Thanks for stopping and sharing your thoughts!
C.K. Volnek

Reply

Sandyg265

12/19/2011 12:32:20 am

I always givethe kids in my family books as gifts. My two year old nephew is getting Thomas the Tank Engine golden books

A Horse Called TroubleA troubled teen must overcome her abused past to save the defiant horse who taught her to love and trust again.Available in Print and e-book

View the book trailer for A Horse Called Trouble

Welcome to my blog.

Hi. I'm C.K. Volnek, Author and Story teller. I love books and photography, dogs and horses, hiking and tulips, kids, pasta, sunsets and of course…writing. Please come back often and share your passion in writing..